California has one of the strongest programs of pesticide regulation in the country. Although pesticide laws are established at the state and federal levels, the local Agricultural Commissioner is responsible for their implementation.

The Pesticide Regulation program ensures that pesticides are used in an appropriate and responsible manner that protects the environment, the public and the employees of businesses that handle pesticides. Pesticides are utilized in agricultural areas, restaurants, hospitals, our homes and many public buildings. This wide variety of uses means that inspectors must work with many types of businesses and the general public to ensure safe pesticide application.

Inspectors issue permits for the use of materials that are restricted, visit farms to be sure that pesticides do not endanger workers, the public and nearby sensitive habitats and investigate complaints and reports of illnesses due to pesticides. The Pesticide Regulation program also works with growers and their neighbors to mitigate problems that develop when agriculture and urban areas are in close proximity.

California Worker Protection Standards regulations have been in effect since 1997 and included regulations for decontamination facilities, posting, and training by a qualified trainer. These regulations completed a multi-year process of integrating the Federal Worker Protection Standards with existing California pesticide laws. Inspectors continue to work with local growers and the State Department of Pesticide Regulations to implement conditions for the safe use of methyl bromide.

For any Licensing and Registration information not answered here, Agricultural/Standards Inspectors are available to answer your questions
Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Call 858-694-8980 or stop by the San Diego Office

Most of the documents referenced on this page are in "pdf" format, and require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer.
You can download Acrobat Reader here.

SECTION 1: LICENSING AND REGISTRATION

For these categories you must be LICENSED with the State and REGISTERED in all counties where you work. You can obtain all applications (except for structural pest control operator license applications) from our office. Some forms are available online from the Department of Pesticide Regulation. Those forms are hyperlinked and appear in blue.

Maintenance Gardener

You are a maintenance gardener and you would like to apply pesticides as a part of your business.

After you receive your Applicator Examination Notification Letter, please call our office to reserve a seat to take the written exam.

Structural Pest Control Applicator Exam Given:
November through February - Every first and third Friday at 10:00 am
March through October - Every Friday at 10:00 am

Call (858) 694-8980 For REQUIRED Reservations! You will need to bring the following:

1. Driver's License or government issued photo identification. Absolutely no admission is
allowed without photo identification.
2. Applicator Examination Notification Letter
3. $15.00 cash or check
4. Name & address of where you work
5. Upon successfully passing the Examination & Live Scan process, the permanent
license is mailed from the Structural Pest Control Board.

SECTION 2: PURCHASE AND USE OF PESTICIDES

Operator Identification Number

You want to apply pesticides in agricultural areas (agricultural production, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, rights-of-way). What Do You Need?

Obtain an operator identification number from this office.

Give a copy of the operator identification number to pesticide dealer when purchasing pesticides.

If you are producing an agricultural commodity, bring a map of your farm identifying location(s) of crops.

Pesticide Use Report

You have applied a pesticide which required an operator identification number or a restricted materials permit; or you have a business applying pesticides. What Do You Need?

You must submit a Pesticide Use Report. When you receive your operator identification number and/or restricted materials permit, our inspector will inform you of which of the three types of Pesticide Use Reports you need to submit.